And here's a wild card option: If the struggling Mets find themselves out of contention by summer, expect the Yankees to inquire again on Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler.

Remember, the Yanks were pushing to trade for Mets starting pitching at the winter meetings in December, when the solid relationship between new GM Brodie Van Wagenen and Brian Cashman improved the dynamic between the clubs. The Yankees made a run at Syndergaard then, and haven’t forgotten about him or Wheeler.

Here’s why, despite Syndergaard’s uneven 2019 performance (5.14 ERA), the Yankees would be wise to go after the flame-thrower.

Underlying numbers: Syndergaard’s ERA is over 5.00, but peripheral stats (3.89 FIP, 9.92 SO/9, 51.8 ground ball percentage) suggest bad luck has played a major role in early-season struggles. If Syndergaard wasn’t missing bats or lost velocity, perhaps the picture of a diminished pitcher would be here. That’s not the case.

Upside that could be unlocked: Over the years, the Yankees have become one of the most analytically-driven organizations in the sport. Much like the Houston Astros, Brian Cashman’s front office can take pride in getting the most out of players—especially pitchers that just need a tweak here or there.

Team control and youth: Unlike a deal for, say, Madison Bumgarner, this doesn’t have to be looked at through the prism of just the 2019 season. And unlike a contract to Dallas Keuchel, it doesn’t have to be a huge dollar amount.

Syndergaard, 26, is under team control through the 2021 season. The right-hander is making $6M in arbitration this season, and likely won’t cost more than $32M in total from 2020-21. If he’s pitching at a high level, the Yankees could have a bargain in their rotation for three straight pennant chases.